The start of a drive to the park is made by one of three paved routes.
The shortest is Pukalani Road. The other two turn inland at Paia or
Haiku and traverse more interesting country. The three routes converge
at Pukalani Junction ten miles up the mountain. PUKALANI means a hole in
heaven, which picturesquely describes the fact that the sun breaks
through at this place despite a general overcast elsewhere.
As the road rises up and ever up, it unfolds distant views of fields of
sugar cane and pineapple, of West Maui Range, 6,000 feet high, and of
Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Molokini Islands beyond channels of blue
sea. 100 miles southward, the tops of the snowy volcanoes on the Island
of Hawaii float on billowy clouds. 10,000 feet below, the aquamarine
Pacific fringes Maui with white surf.
Three viewpoints along the road overlook the great crater: Leleiwi, at
the 9,000-foot switchback; Kalahaku, two miles below the summit: and the
Park Observatory, near the top. The roadway extends along the crest one
mile southwestward to a scenic point beyond the park boundary and a
communication station of the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
Just above the park entrance, Silversword Inn, a National Park
concession, offers meals, rooms, souvenirs, horseback riding and guided
horseback trips into the crater. Across from the inn, a paved spur road
leads a half mile to Hosmer Grove Campground and Picnic Area.
Haleakala Crater is a favorite with those who like the back-country; its
inspiring scenery and restful solitude are great reward for time and
effort. The National Park Service maintains three cabins on the crater
floor and 30 miles of well-marked trails for hikers and horseback
parties.